Jake Smith, Madison Howe, Lily Moore, TJ Chong Sue and Kelton Rothnie
2019 Barras squads announced
Five of WA’s Pool Lifesaving State Team athletes have been named in Royal Life Saving Society’s 2019 Development Squad pool lifesaving teams – the ‘Aussie Barras’ (Open), ‘Silver Barras’ (Under 19) and ‘Junior Barras’ (Under 16).
Each year, athletes who compete at the Australian Pool Life Saving Championships are selected to be part of the national Development Squad as representatives for the sport. The Squad teams are named after the Barramundi fish, an aggressive fresh and saltwater fish found in Australian waters.
Representing WA in the Open Aussie Barras this year is 21-year-old Jake Smith, who competed in the Open Mens category at the championships. Jake took out first place in the category with a total score of 125 points for individual events.
17-year-old Maddi Howe was selected for the Silver Barras (Under 19) with a total individual score of 109 points. Maddi came a close second in the Under 19 Womens division with just 3 points separating first and second place.
Three WA athletes were selected for the Junior Barras, representing a third of the national junior squad. 15-year-old Lily Moore, who came second in the Under 16 Womens, along with 15-year-old TJ Chong Sue and 14-year-old Kelton Rothnie who came first and fourth respectively in the Under 16 Mens. TJ was also awarded Male Lifesaver of the meet at the championships.
Speaking with our Junior Barras at the team’s post-championships event, they were surprised with the results. “I was very surprised considering I am on the younger age group and I was not expecting to do this well,” said Kelton.
Lily said, “I was really, really happy because, until this year, I hadn’t been really pulling out good times and racing very well, so I was very surprised.”
"Previously they have taken the Development Team – which we've been named in – to Thailand for a training camp and they also went to South Africa a year ago to race in a competition, so hopefully they'll take us somewhere! You’re representing Australia and racing for our country against other countries or other national teams.”
Royal Life Saving WA wishes all our representatives the very best as they take part in activities with the Barra's squads this year!
Know someone who'd love to compete in pool lifesaving? Check out the link below to get involved in a club and train to take part in trials for next year's WA state team!
